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City’s 6th and final game inside 18 days concludes with Sunderland coming to town. Can The Champions reinforce their Top 4 position…?
Vital Quotes:
Roberto Mancini:
‘Last year Sunderland took four points against us and it is important we know this will be a tough game. It is very difficult because every time Sunderland play against us they play a fantastic game.
‘I like Adam, I think he is a really good player. He wanted to play every game and here it was difficult, so he decided to leave. I am sure he will do well for Sunderland and go to another top team because he deserves this. He is a good guy and a good player.’
Martin O’Neill:
‘We have to go there and attack and we are capable of attacking. If we sit back, Manchester City will be too strong for us. I think there will be space for us and we have players capable of causing them a few problems.’
Manchester City Team News:
Potential return for Maicon, Yaya Touré doubtful.
OUT:
Micah Richards
Javi Garcia
Player to watch: Carlos Tévez
For the life of me I cannot understand why El Apache remained sidelined against Dortmund when the well of ideas ran out. Rest assured he’ll be raring to lead the line against The Mackems. He has a point or two to prove.
Sunderland Team News:
Carlos Cuellar possible starter.
OUT:
Phil Bardsley
Wes Brown
Lee Cattermole – Suspended
Player to watch: Adam Johnson
Who else? An extremely talented footballer, Mancio’s first City signing gave Planet Blue some memorable moments but ultimately disappointed during his fade in, fade out time in Manchester. All too frequently he ran out of gas the longer a started game wore on and it will be fascinating to see what impact Martin O’Neill’s savvy has had upon the England international.
Match Facts & Stats
THE FACTS:
The Black Cats were the only Premier League team not to lose to City in 2011-12.
Both Sunderland and City are currently unbeaten in the league.
The Blues are the first reigning Premier League champions to concede in each of their first 6 matches of the season.
Sunderland have never won a Premier League match at City.
The Citizens dropped only 2 points at home last season.
The longest unbeaten Premier League era home run belongs to Chelsea with 86. The rags are in second and third place with 36 and 35 games respectively. This City squad are currently in fourth place, tied with Arsenal’s 2003-2004 Invincibles on 32 games.
Head To Head
League: 56 City Wins, 21 Draws, 45 Sunderland Wins
FA Cup: 4 City Wins, 2 Draws, 2 Sunderland Wins
League Cup: 0 City Wins, 1 Draw, 1 Sunderland Win
Other Cup: 1 City Win, 0 Draws, 0 Sunderland Wins
Total: 61City Wins, 24 Draws, 48 Sunderland Wins
This Could Be The Last Time:
Sa 31Mar 2012 Man City 3 – 3 Sunderland
Su 01Jan 2012 Sunderland 1 – 0 Man City
Su 03Apr 2011 Man City 5 – 0 Sunderland
Su 29Aug 2010 Sunderland 1 – 0 Man City
Betting: City 2/7 Draw 9/2 Sunderland 10
TV Coverage: Sky Sports 2, BBC Match Of The Day
LiveOnSat.com
CLICK HERE TO FOLLOW THE GAME LIVE IN THE VMC FORUM
CLASSIC CITY: FA CUP 5TH ROUND 1973 MAN CITY 2 SUNDERLAND 2
Ref Watch:
Lee Probert of Gloucestershire
Last Season: Carling Cup Tu 29Nov 2011 Arsenal 0 – 1 Man City, Su 22Apr 2012 Wolves 0 – 2 Man City -2011/12: 38 Games, 110 Yellows, 9 Reds -2012/2013: 4Games, 12 Yellows, 0 Reds.
Match Prediction:
Johnny On The Spot:
I think this is when we are going to see City finally cut loose. There’s a degree of frustration knocking about Carrington at coming tantalisingly close to beating Real Madrid and failing to score early against Borussia Dortmund despite improving form and that frustration needs an outlet. The Blues are to be sent out this weekend to get a positive result secured quickly and most certainly to tighten up at the back. Exchanging tackles with Europe’s finest players will assuredly rub off and somebody soon is going to be on the receiving end of a battering. I sense it could happen this weekend, despite touchline mad professor Martin O’Neill’s cunning plans. I’m backing The Blues to send us into the international break on a high.
City 4 Sunderland 0
Next Fixtures:
all times East Manchester
Sa 20 Oct 15h00 West Brom, The Hawthorns, PL
We 24 Oct 19h45 Ajax, Amsterdam Arena, CL
Sa 27 Oct 17h30 Swansea City, The Etihad, PL
Sa 03Nov 17h30 West Ham, Upton Park, PL
Tu 06 Nov 19h45 Ajax, The Etihad, CL
Su 11 Nov 13h30 Spurs, The Etihad, PL
Sa 17 Nov 15h00 Aston Villa, The Etihad, PL
We 21 Nov 19h45 Real Madrid, The Etihad, CL
Su 25 Nov 16h00 Chelsea, Stamford Bridge, PL
We 28 Nov 20h00 Wigan, DW Stadium, PL